A shadow formed in the sphere. Then the light disappeared, leaving a figure suspended in the air above the altar. An instant later, the laws of physics noticed him and he tumbled painfully to the floor, his fall broken by a dozen fresh eggs and the decomposing head of a young goat.

 This, it seemed, the Oracle had not foreseen. "Antonus," it told the elderly Greek, "this creature defiles the temple of Apollo. Kill it now!"

 Antonus hesitated for a moment, looking questioningly to his daughter for advice.

 "Kill it!"

 He nodded reverently, reaching into his boot. "Yes, honoured Apollo."

 Turlough wiped the yolk from his eyes in time to see a tanned, wrinkled Greek with a long grey beard and an equally long dagger bearing down on him.

 CHAPTER SEVEN- BATTLESTATIONS. By David Evans

 "When it rains, it pours" Turlough commented as the old man wielding the dagger leapt towards him.

 It was an old English phrase he had learnt whilst travelling with the Doctor. Compared to this, his travels in the TARDIS now seemed like they took place centuries ago while actually, they had taken place centuries after.

 Turlough dived to one side as the man thrust himself forward- his blade ready to strike at the new arrival. He quickly turned to see that a woman dressed in the clothing of the period was screaming......at him. "Kill it, Father!"

 The old man had fallen straight into a stone statue, and was crumpled on the floor. The knife fell from his hand onto the floor causing a smash that resonated around the temple.

 He looked up as thunder crashed down infront of him and a voice boomed down from the heavens.

 "Fool, you dare to violate the Temple of Apollo. Antonus, you must kill it."

 Turlough turned to see that the old man - Antonus, had risen and had picked up the knife.

 "Demon from Hades," Antonus cried, "Return to your kind." He again charged at Turlough. Turlough again dived to one side, but the Antonus anticipated his move and followed suit, jabbing the knife forward and stratching Turlough on his hand.

 "I'm not here to hurt you" Turlough yelled at the man as he prepared to go for the kill. "I'm not your enemy"

 "Liar!" Antonus screamed, "You are an enemy of Apollo. You are an enemy of mine"

 With this Antonus stabbed the knife forward at Turlough. Turlough caught his hand and wrestled the weapon off him before throwing the knife away and holding out his hands in a gesture of peace.

 "I do not want to harm you. I bring no malice to you or your God. Why he demands my death I don't know. All I do know is that your daughter is in trouble."

 As Antonus looked at his daughter, Turlough darted out of the building and ran as fast as he could until he thought he was out of sight of the temple. The being known as "The Oracle" worried him. He had read about Ancient Greece in a book he had found in the TARDIS library. He had heard of the myths and legends of Medusa and such characters but had never believed in them and he also couldn't recall reading about a god called "The Oracle".

 The situation was getting more and more complex. From the initial dealings with the Delphi Institute to today's events with the Oracle, Turlough was beginning to regret taking this mission in the first place.

 In moments such as this, the only companion she had was her own mind. Or rather her mind and the mind of the other that lived within her.

 She recalled how she had escaped into her work after the death of the other members of her race. She had signed up on an archaeological expedition to Greece on Earth and had led a team to find the missing temple of Apollo.

 It was there that she had first come into contact with the Oracle.

 She was brought out of her reverie by a small bleeping sound. It was the ship to ship communicator that was buried into her skin, placed there in the possibility that her normal communicator would be confiscated if she was captured.

 "Rubenstein here."

 "Ah, mistress. We are proceeding as instructed. The off worlder- Vicki is with Olec who as ordered is trying to gain her trust."

 "Excellent," Rubenstein said, "Make sure she finds out where the girl came from and how she has knowledge of other lifeforms. How is the project going?"

 "The Protean reports that Probe Seven will enter Phase Z in less than three hours."

 Rubenstein grinned slyly, careful not to let her guard hear the conversation.

 "Excellent job, commander. Given the instabilities in the vortex we've created, it's only a matter of time before the Time Lords send a team to investigate."

 "Ma'am, we've already detected a TARDIS. Further data indicates that the group of pirates that Olec infiltrated is holding the Lord President of Gallifrey."

 "What! The Lord President of Gallifrey and her TARDIS in my grasp. A far better specimen than that annoying Doctor. Soon Commander, the Universe will tremble at the very mention of my name. The Oracle shall become all powerful. Scan for the pirates' location, attack their base but make sure you do not harm the Gallifreyan. Rubenstein out."

 They reached one large hole and could see through onto the ship's bridge. Vicki paused, curious to see what was happening. Olec, anxiously stayed and listened to the conversation on the bridge hoping that her cover wouldn't be blown.

 "I have communicated with the mistress". One guard was announcing. Due to the extra armour he wore, Vicki surmised that he was the commander. Vicki glanced over and saw one of the officers frantically working on his control panel.

 "Message from the Trion homeworld, Commander," he said.

 "On screen."

 "I am Burliugh, head of Trion security. This message is of top priority. In less than three hours, the greatest moment in Trion history will take place. We will seize access to the space-time vortex of the Time Lords and take control of Trion. We have studied the information given about them by Vislor Turlough. He must not learn of our plans....and neither should the Central Committee of Trion. From now on, we must observe communications silence between us. This message must be deleted after viewing.Best of Luck, Commander. Burliugh out".

 "Delete the message and prepare to attack the pirates' base," the commander ordered.

 Vicki turned to Olec.

 "They're planning a coup! We've got to warn someone."

 Olec looked at her and produced a laser weapon.

 "You, my dear, will not be warning anybody."

 Vicki screamed and tried to move out of the way but felt faint. A second shot hit her and then it all went black.

 She could faintly see that Romana's right hand was free of the chains and in her left was a small device that was emitting a sonic pulse at the chain.

 For some reason, Zoe knew it was a sonic screwdriver. But she couldn't remember how she knew.

 Distracted by the fire from above, Demck and 462ahw were busy concentrating on the computer console in front of them.

 "Observe a Trion ship attacking." 462ahw said.

 Romana, aware of her captor's lack of attention quickly set about freeing her companions. After releasing them from their chains with her sonic screwdriver, she turned and looked for the nearest exit.

 The exit on her right was closer and had stepped towards it when the door exploded and standing in it's place, emerging out of the smoke were six heavily armoured, helmeted figures.

 "This way!" Romana whispered to the others as Demck and 462ahw opened fire with their laser pistols. Before she left, she saw energy blasts from the new intruder's weapons strike Demck and 462ahw, sending them sprawling backwards. An eerie silence descended over the room as the attackers moved forward incomplete silence- the only noise came from their boots marching against the floor in unison. The leader pointed at Romana and the intruders broke into a chase.

 Troilus and Dolon, who had only recently awoken from being stunned, collapsed in front of their pursuers. Four of the guards tripped over them, leaving two guards to chase Romana and a tiring Zoe who also had only just awoken. Running behind Zoe, fearing she might fall at any moment, Romana saw a faint beam of light ahead and decided to follow it. Ahead of her she saw a ginger-haired humanoid who, through her mind link with the Protean, she knew as Turlough.

 "Run!" She shouted, "Where can we get out?"

 "This way" Turlough said, pointing to a point further down the passageway.

 "Help me with her" Romana said, looking at Zoe, who was now ready to drop. Turlough picked her up like a child and ran as fast as he could to the exit with Romana closely following. The guards fired, missing them by only inches. Turlough scrambled through the exit, pulled Zoe through and then helped Romana through.

 "Follow me" Turlough beckoned and Romana followed without hesitation.

 Romana sensed that it wasn't just fatigue that was causing this to Zoe as Romana could hear the same words in her head - *Imuza cum da tu nitana.* Turlough brought out a medical scanner and placed it on Zoe's forehead.

 "It's nice to meet you in the flesh, this time" Turlough said.

 "And you also," Romana replied.

 Turlough burst out into laughter.

 "This seems like old times."

 "Old Times?" Romana quizzed.

 "Yes, old times with the Doctor."

 "I see what you mean."

 "I suppose it can get pretty dull being Lord President."

 "Yes, I don't get out much. I envy the Doctor in a way, travelling the universe getting into all sorts of trouble. Better than sitting with the old miseries on the High Council."

 "What's happened since we last spoke?" Turlough asked.

 "Not a great deal more than I imagine you'd be able to surmise. A pair of mercenaries captured us, and they in turn were attacked by those armored figures you saw."

 Turlough turned and looked Romana straight in the face.

 "This is a strange coincidence," He said, "Three of the Doctor's companions all in close proximity to one another."

 "Four," Romana added.

 "Four?"

 "Yes. Cressida- Troilus's wife asked Zoe if she travelled with the Doctor. Zoe told me earlier."

 A small noise came from Turlough's scanning device notifying him that Zoe's diagnosis was ready for inspection. Turlough studied it, looked down and passed it onto Romana.

 Romana looked at the scan. Zoe was suffering from Mangaria, a mental disease that spreads from host to host by telepathic contact. It seemed most likely that Zoe had caught it from the Protean that had been absorbing Zoe's memories.

 Managaria was a purely mental virus, almost like a biological version of a computer virus. in Proteans, it was benign, but when a Protean made mental contact with another life-form, it could spread through the mind quickly, converting memories into gibberish. It was an unpleasant fate.

 Romana thought for a moment. By her own telepathic contact with the Protean, she knew that she most likely had the disease as well.

 "Inquire what your condition is." He asked.

 "My head is pounding like a drum." Demck said.

 "In pain also."

 "I'm glad it's not just me, I'd hate for you to miss out."

 "Astounded at your altruism."

 "Where are the captives?"

 "Express uncertainty."

 "Are you sure?" Demck questioned.

 "Re-emphasize uncertainty. Hypothesize their capture by attackers?"

 "Who were they?"

 "Again express uncertainty. Unable to activate scanning devices."

 "Blast!" Demck cursed, "Is any of this damn equipment working?"

 "Can repair scanners within ten minutes."

 "Well stop jabbering, 462ahw and get to it."

 "Acknowledge orders."

 Demck looked around at his base and looked towards the empty chains that once held his cargo.

 "They won't be pleased," He said, cradling his head in his hands "They won't be pleased at all"

 She stood up and began to pace up and down the cell, trying to calm her temper before it erupted and caused suspicion from the guard.

 The power would soon be hers.

 She had grown up in admiration of the Time Lords and the power they held, but the entity that lived within her told her of evils and injustice created by the Time Lords. It made her hate them and the monopoly they held over time travel and the space-time vortex.

 Suddenly, the noise of a body falling to the ground broke her concentration.

 "Hello there," said the girl known as Zoe, "I believe you've been expecting me."

 Rubenstein recognized the Protean instantly. "So you're my rescuer," Rubenstein commented.

 "Yes, Mistress."

 "Very well. Is the assault team ready?"

 "Yes, Mistress."

 "Excellent. Now free me and we can begin."

 The Protean inserted the keycard it had taken from the unconscious guard, and the force field around the cell disappeared.

 Rubenstein tapped on her communicator.

 "Transport the assault crew over."

 A sharp ripple of light was followed by the materialisation of fifteen figures.

 Once the shapes had reformed on the ship, they moved into line, the head soldier stepping forward.

 "Here is your attack force, courtesy of Burliugh, Mistress."

 "Excellent." Rubenstein replied giving him a faint smile. She walked towards a computer panel and scanned the station. All the scientists were busy preparing for Phase Z. She looked over at the clock on the wall.

 Ten minutes to go.

 "Nearly finished, my friends. Phase Z- the final stage. I'd never thought we'd get past E!" The crew joined in with his laughter. There had been troubles amongst them as expected when bunch of totally different people where put together. Conflicts of cultures, conflicts of lifestyles and conflicts of egos. As the old time clock on the wall ticked away, the crew got into action. Stations were manned, final diagnostics started and controls were ready to be used.

 "Major," a technician announced. "High levels of chronoton particles are appearing nearby"

 "What the blazes..." Bromley asked, "Do they affect Phase Z?"

 "Unsure, sir....continuing analysis..."

 "Sir, security reports a group of armed intruders."

 "Location?"

 "Corridor 2A, sir.....Next level."

 Bromley frowned. He had had an awful feeling that something would go wrong. As the time had got closer to Phase Z, he lost his fears but now he knew they were justified and that he had to stop the intruders.

 "Implement security procedure 14," he commanded.

 "Yes, sir."

 The doors around the centre of operations shut. Red lights flashed and sirens wailed. Above all the noise, a feminine computer voice alerted all levels that security procedures were in operation and that a number of areas were being sealed off.

 They were rocked by an explosion that came from nearby.

 "Sir, scans show that they have blown through two of the security bulkheads and are proceeding to this location."

 Bromley turned and saw panic in the eyes of his colleagues. They were all looking to him for assistance.

 "Okay. Open the weapons locker. All of you, take a sidearm."

 The crew nodded and obeyed, each looking at each other. Bromley could see the anguish on the faces of some of the younger ones who probably had never had combat experience. From Valtez to Brundie to.... Bromley urleenly noticed that someone was missing... Zoe.

 Over the past few days he had been worried about her due to her disappearances. He shouted over the alarms to Valtez.

 "Where's Zoe? Do a scan for her."

 Valtez quickly did as he was instructed.

 "Sensors can't find her."

 "What? There's got to be a malfunction..."

 Suddenly the right bulkhead exploded. Bromley winced as the smoke got at his eyes while he watched debris fly into equipment ... and people. He saw fires breaking out on the consoles nearest the bulkhead, saw the bodies slumped over them as the fire continued and then he saw something else. Something that wasn't supposed to be here.

 It was Professor Rubenstein and an armoured attack squadron preparing to open fire.

 TO BE CONTINUED